GOVERNMENT DOES NOT PROPOSE TO BUY HIGHWAY CONCESSION COMPANIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- The government does not propose to buy
highway concession companies to reduce toll.

Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed said his ministry had not received any
offer from the companies for them to be bought.

"This involves the question of finances. How much can the government spend?
At this point we are not studying that option," he told reporters after
receiving a courtesy call by the Egyptian Minister for Trade and Industry Rachid
Mohamed Rachid Keatas.

Mohd Zin also announced that the concession agreement for the North South
Expressway (Plus) between the government and the company could be viewed by the
public beginning 2pm Monday.

Beginning last Friday, the public had been allowed to go through the highway
concession agreements between the government and companies concerned in line
with the decision by the government to do so on Oct 17 last year.

However, the Plus agreement was not available then.

Meanwhile, Mohd Zin urged Malaysian investors to look into development
programmes in Egypt.

"Our companies especially those in construction should take the opportunity
as none of our companies are involved in development projects there," he said.

He said the Construction Industry Development Board had discussed with the
Egyptian embassy about opportunities and Malaysian companies can get involved in
mega projects in that country.
-- BERNAMA